Table for ironers and the like



April3 23, 1940.- G. w. WARDWELL, JR 2,198,467

TABLE FOR IRON ERS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 1'7, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor: George \M \A/ardwell, Jr".

1 fla 75 His Attohngg.

April 23, 1940. G; w. wALDwELL. JR

TABLE FOR IRQNERS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet '2 Filed Feb. 1'7, 1938 I Inventor": George W \A/ar'dwe I, Jr:

l-lis Atborne g April 23, 1940- G. w. WARDWELL, JR

TABLE FOR IRONERS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 17, 1938 Inventor: Geor' e \M \A/ar'dwelLJn His Attorngg April 23, 1940- e. w. WARDWELL, JR

TABLE FOR IRONEE S AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 17, 1938 4 sheets-sheet 4 Fig. I2.

L/m' Inventor:

George W arweILdr: NH Hi:

Attore Patented Apr. 23, 1940 TABLE FOR IRONERS AND THE LIKE George W. Wardwell, Jn, Nichols, Comm, assignmto General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application February 17, 1938. Serial No. 191,040 3 Claims. (Cl. 41568) The present invention relates to tables for ironers and the like which are equipped with a box cover for enclosing the ironer when it is not in use.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement for supporting the cover so that it may be swung from a position enclosing the ironer to a position at the end of the table providing an auxiliary table surface.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following description and the claims appended thereto.

m In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying my invention with the cover in the closed position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table showing the cover in an intermediate position; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the table showing the cover in its final open position at one end of the table in which it provides an auxiliary table surface;

Fig. t is an end elevation of the table with the cover in the closed position, parts of the table and. cover being broken away to show the hinge support for the cover; Fig. 5 is a sectional front elevation of the table; Fig. 6 is a detailed view showing the construction for supporting the hinge rod on the table; Figs. 6 and 6 are views showing an alternative construction for supporting the hinge rod on the table; Fig. 7 is a detailed view showing the manner of supporting the cover for pivotal movement on the hinge rod;

Fig. 8 is a view of the retractible leg which supports the front end of the cover in its final open position; Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the stop which receives and holds the inner end of the hinge rod in a horizontal position when the cover is moved from the closed position; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modification of my invention, the cover being shown in full lines in the closed position and the positions of the cover during movement to its open position being illustrated by broken lines; Fig. 11 is a sectional end Gil elevation of the table shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12"

No. 750,620, filed Oct. 20, 1934. This ironer comprises a cylinder 5 which projects through an opening in the table top and is supported thereon by an integral flange 6 which extends beyond the edges of the opening in the table top and is suitably secured thereto. On the lower end of the cylinder 5 is pivoted one end of a U-shaped arm I. The arm extends upward around the rear edge of the table top and its other end carries a suitably heated shoe 8 which is moved by the arm into and out of register with a padded buck 9 mounted on the upper end of a piston (not shown) within the cylinder 5. A handle Ill, connected to the shoe, is provided for the convenience of the operator in moving the shoe into and out of register with the buck. The rearward pivotal movement of the arm I is limited by toggle links H and i2 respectively pivoted to the cylinder 5 and the arm l and having a spring l3 connected between the cylinder 5 and their common pivot point. Suitable pressure developing mechanism is carried within the cylinder 5 for moving the buck upward against the shoe when the shoe is in register with the buck. At the rear of the buck is an apron it secured to the table top which keeps the material being ironed from falling off the rear edge of the table top. The above described ironer is typical of devices which might be supported on the table top.

When the ironer is not in use it is enclosed by a sheet metal box cover having a top wall l5 providing a table top and depending front and rear side walls It and H and left and right end walls It and i9. At each end of the cover the lower edges of the front and rear side wallsare provided with rubber feet 20 which reston the table top and support the cover thereon in theclosed position. In the rear wall H is a notch shaped opening 2| which is closed by a panel 22 hinged at its upper edge to the rear wall for swinging movement up against the under side of the top wall B5 of the cover. Spring catches 23, fixed to the under side of the top wall, hold the panel in its raised position. The opening 2| provides a clearance around the shoe supporting arm I when the cover is in the closed position. The opening is partially closed by the apron l4. When the cover is in the open position the panel 22 may be swung to a position closing the opening 2!. In this position flanges 24 (Fig. 5) on the panel butt against the inner surface of the wall l1 and are held in place by latch mem-. bers 25.

In the rear left-hand corner of the table top is secured a channel shaped bracket 26 having a sleeve 2'! pivoted between the flanges thereof by means of screws 28 threaded from the outside of the flanges into the sleeve. A hinge rod 29 extends through the bushing and an opening in the corner of the table top and is pinned to the sleeve at 30 intermediate its ends. The sleeve provides a hinge support for the rod 29 by means of which the rod may be swung from a vertical to a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover.

In Figs. 6 and 6 is shown an alternative hinge support for the rod 29 which comprises a channel shaped bracket 26 secured to the under side of the table top and having a rod 26 journaled therein. Threaded on the end of the rod 26* adjacent the corner of the table is a socket 26 in which the rod 29 is pinned. The bracket 26 and the rod 26 provide a hinge support by means of which the rod 29 may be swung from a vertical to a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover. The return of the rod 29 to the vertical position is assisted by a helical counterbalancing spring 26 arranged around the rod 26 and having one end bearing on a pin 26 fixed in the rod 26 and having its other end projecting through an opening 2E5 in the flange of the bracket 26.

When the rod is in a horizontal position its inner end 3| (Figs. 5 and 9) fits in notches 32 in a channel shaped bracket 33 secured to the under side of the table top. The notches 32 prevent lateral movement of the rod and hold it in a horizontal position. The outer end 35 of the rod 29 projects upwardly within the lefthand rear' corner of the table top and extends loosely through openings in plates 35 which are fixed in the corners in the table top by means of flanges 36 and 31, respectively secured to the side and end Walls l1 and I8 of the cover. Endwise movement of the cover with respect to the rod 29 is prevented by washers 38 arranged between the outer surfaces of the plates 35 and pins 39 fixed in the rod. The plates 35 pivotally support the cover on the hinge rod 29 for movement about an axis perpendicular to the open face of the cover or, in other words, about an axis perpendicular to the top wall of the cover. The weight of the cover is partially balanced by a coil spring 39 arranged around the rod 29 and having one end bearing on a pin 39 fixed in the rod and having the other end hearing on the lower plate 35. The spring 39 assists in returning the cover from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

At the right end of the front wall of the cover is hinged a leg 40 which occupies a position flush against the front wall of the cover when the cover is in the closed position. When the leg is moved to its operative position projectingat right angles from the front wall of the cover it serves as a handle by means of which the cover may be swung to the open position. The hinge for the leg (Fig. 8) comprises a pin 4! carried in a bracket 42 on the front wall of the cover and toggle links 43 and 44, respectively, pivoted to the front wall of the cover and to the leg. The leg is channel shaped so that the bracket 42 and the toggle links 43 and 44 are concealed within the leg when it is against the front wall of the cover. When the leg is in its operative position, the toggle links 43 and 44 serve as braces to hold the leg in this position. To provide a symmetrical appearance, a block hinge members.

amass? d5 of the same shape as the leg 69 is fixed to the left end of the front wall of the cover.

When the ironing machine is not in use the cover occupies the position shown in Fig. 1 enclosing the ironer. In this position, the leg is flush against the front wall of the cover and the panel 22 is swung up against the under side of the top wall of the cover so that the notch shaped opening 2i fits loosely over shoe supporting arm I. The opening 2! is partially closed between apron it.

To move the cover to the open position, the leg 60 is first swung out to a position perpendicular to the front Wall of the cover in which position it serves as a handle for moving the cover. The cover is then swung to a vertical position at the left end of the table, as shown in Fig. 2. During this movement the hinge rod 29 is moved from the vertical position, shown in full lines in Fig. 5, to the horizontal position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and is held in this position by engagement of its inner end with the notches 32. While the cover is in the vertical position the panel 22 is swung to the position closing the opening 2| and is held there by the latch members 25. The cover is then swung downward to the position shown in Fig. 3 about the hinge rod 29. This latter swinging movement of the cover is about the axis of the hinge rod, or in other words, about an axis perpendicular to the open face of the cover. In the final position the rear side wall of the cover is substantially flush with the table top and projects beyond the end and out in front of the table top providing an auxiliary table surface. The front wall N5 of the cover provides a shelf surface therebelow. The end wall l8 of the cover is flush with the rear edge of the table top. The cover therefore does not project to the rear of the table. The rear end of the cover is supported by the hinge rod 29. The front end of the cover is supported by the fioor engaging leg 40.

The cover is returned to the closed position by performing the operations described above in the reverse order.

In the modification, shown in Figs. to 13, inclusive, the table is the same as in the previously described construction and corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters.

On the table top is mounted a rotary ironer which comprises a roll 46, a shoe 41, and a housing 48 containing a suitable driving mechanism for rotating the roll and for effecting engagement and separation of the roll and shoe. The ironer is supported on the table top by means of the housing 48 which is suitably secured thereto, in a manner not shown. As in the previously described construction, the ironer is typical of devices which might be supported on the table top.

The ironer is enclosed by a box cover having a top wall 49 and depending front and rear,

side walls 50 and 5| and right and left end walls 52 and 53. At each end of the cover the lower edges of the front and rear walls 50 and 5! are provided with rubber feet 54 which engage the top of the table and support the cover thereon when the cover is in its closed position.

On the outside of the right-hand end flange 3 of the table top are hinge members 55 which are secured thereto by screws 56 threaded through a stifiening plate 51 into inner surface of the The plate 51 is secured to the under side or the table top and to the rear side flange 2 01' the table top. Cooperating with the hinge member 55 are hinge members 88 which are pivoted on pins 58 fixed in the forked ends 60 of the hinge members 55. The hinge membars 58 have shoulders Bl which butt against the outer surface of the hinge members and serve as stops for holding the hinge members 58 in a horizontal position. The hinge members 58 fit in notches 62 in the end wall 52 of the cover and are secured to the lower edge of a triangular metal plate 63. The rear edge of the plate 63 fits in the right rear corner of the cover and is hinged thereto by means of a hinge 64 (Fig. 13). The hinge 64 supports the cover for pivotal movement on the plate 63 about an axis perpendicular to the top wall of the cover.

At the upper left-hand corner of the front wall of the cover is a retractible leg which comprises a rod 65 slidably carried in the flanges B6 and 61 of a bracket 68 fixed to the under side of the top wall of the cover. Pivoted at 69*- on the flange G6 is a locking plate 69 having a sharp edged opening therein loosely surrounding the rod 65. The edges of this opening are pressed into locking engagement with the rod by means of a compression coil spring 70 arranged around the rod and between the locking plate 89 and the inner surface of the flange 66. When the locking plate is in the position shown in Fig. 11, the edges of the opening therein are at an angle to the rod and are pressed into engagement with the rod holding it in place. The locking plate is releasable by means of a plunger H which is slidable in the front wall of the cover and is connected to an ear E2 on the locking plate. When the plunger ii is pushed inward the locking plate is moved to a position perpendicular to the rod in which the edges of the opening in the plate loosely surround the rod so that it can be pulled outward. When the plunger is released, the locking plate is returned to the locking position. The arrange= ment for locking the rod is well known'in the art being used in door stops. The outward move ment of the rod is limited by a snap ring it which cooperates with the flange til. When the rod 55 is moved to its outer position it provides a handle by means of which the cover may be swung to its open position.

When the ironer is not in use the cover occupies the position shown in 'full lines in Fig. 10. To move the cover to the open position the plunger ii is first pushed inward releasing the locking plate 69 and the rod 55 is pulled to its outer position. The plunger is then released and the locking plate is returned to its locking position by the coil spring id. The rod 65 serves as a handle by means of which the cover may be swung to its open position.

In opening the cover, the cover is first swung to a vertical position, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, the pivotal movement being above the lower edge of the triangular plate 63, or in other words,

about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover. When the cover is in the vertical position the plate 63 is in a horizontal position. The cover is then swung downward about the hinge 64 until the leg 65 contacts the floor. The rear end of the cover is supported by the hinge 6B and the front end of the cover is supported by the leg. The leg could be omitted, in which case the rear side wall of the cover would rest on the triangular plate 63, supporting the cover.

When in this open position the rear side wall SI of the cover provides an auxiliary table surface extending beyond and in front of the right end of the table. Since the open face of the cover is presented toward the end of the table the front wall of the cover provides a shelf therebelow. The end wall 52 of the cover is flush with the rear edge of the table top. The cover is returned to the closed position by the reverse sequence of operations.

What I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, a support, a box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having the top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, a hinge member pivoted at one end of the support for movement between a vertical and a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover, said hinge member extending from the support toward the top wall and along and within the depending walls of the cover, and hinge means within the walls of the cover for support= ing the cover on said hinge member for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the top wall of the cover.

2. In combination, a support, a box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having the top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, a plate within and adjacent an end wall of the cover hinged at one edge to the support for movement between a vertical and a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover and having the cover hinged to an edge of the plate adjacent the inner surface of one of the side walls whereby the cover may be swung against the plate about an axis perpendicular to the top wall of the cover so the side wall rests on said plate.

3. In combination, a support, a box cover en-= closing a device mounted on the support and having the top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, a vertical rod having a portion within a corner of the cover, said rod being pivoted on the support for movement about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover and having the cover pivoted thereon for movement about its axis.

4. In combination, a support, a box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having the top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, a rod having a portion within the cover, said rod being pivoted intermediate its ends on the support for movement from a vertical to a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover and having the cover pivoted on the outer end thereof for movement about its axis, and a stop on the support engaged by the inner end. of the rod for holding the rod in its horizontal position.

5. In combination, a support, an elongated box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having a top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, an opening in the rear side wall of the cover, means supporting the cover for swinging movement from the position enclosing the device to a position at the end of the support projecting beyond the front of the support and providing an auxiliary table surface, and a panel hinged on the cover for selectively closing said opening.

.6. In combination, a support, a box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having a top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, hinge means at one end of the cover supporting the cover for movement to a generally upright position about said end of the cover with the open face of the'cover presented toward said device and for downward movement therefrom to a lower horizontal position with-the front wall of the cover lowermost, a rod slidably carried in the cover and movable between a retracted position within the cover and an extended position projecting from the front wall of the cover and serving as a handle for moving the cover and as a leg for supporting the cover in its lowered position, and means carried by the cover for holding the rod in its extended and retracted positions.

'7. In combination, a support, a box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having the top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, a hinge member pivoted at one end of the support for movement between a vertical and a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover; said hinge member extending from the support toward the top wall and along and within the depending walls of the cover, hinge means within the walls of the cover for supporting the arcane? cover on said hinge member for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the top wall of the cover, an opening in the rear side wall of the cover, and a panel hinged on the cover for selectively closing said opening.

8. In combination, a support, a box cover enclosing a device mounted on the support and having the top wall providing a table top and depending side and end walls, a hinge member pivoted at one end of the support for movement between a vertical and a horizontal position about an axis perpendicular to the side walls of the cover, said hinge member extending from the support toward the top wall and along and within the depending walls of the cover, hinge means within the walls of the cover for supporting the cover on said hinge member for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the top wall of the cover, a rod carried by the cover and movable between a retracted position and an extended position projecting from the front wall of the cover and serving as a handle for moving the cover and as a leg for supporting the cover in its lowered position, and means carried by the cover for holding the rod in its extended and retracted positions.

GEORGE W. WARDWELL, JR. 

